Children Look Within To Find Special Gift Of Self

December 16, 2000|By Tammie Wersinger of The Sentinel Staff

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS -- At a time of year when most children are thinking about opening holiday presents, students at Lake Orienta Elementary School are looking deep inside themselves for personal gifts to share with the world.

The students conveyed their thoughts in writing and then wrapped them like brightly colored seasonal presents before hanging them on the walls of the Altamonte Springs school.

"My special gift is friendship,'' read Jasmine Young's essay. "The reason why my gift is friendship is because everybody needs a friend to talk to, someone that will listen to you and someone who is always there for you every step of the way.''

Instead of thinking about high-tech toys and trendy clothes, students were urged by guidance counselor Dixie Slater to focus on talents or ideas they could contribute to make the world a better place.

She brainstormed with the children to help them come up with their special gifts. Then, language arts teachers took over and led the students as they put their ideas into writing.

They had lots to write about and much to give -- their voices, musical talents, love, artwork, sports abilities, intellect and scientific inventions.

"I would make more space stations. I would make them close to the sun. That way, the solar panels could make a lot of power. . . . Then, there would be less pollution,'' said James Laughridge. "I would take plants from earth and put them in the space stations. I would only take people who care about the environment. My space stations would help the environment in many ways.''

While many gave specific career objectives -- such as becoming veterinarians or doctors -- others expressed their desire to serve humanity in different ways.

"If I were to give a gift to the world, I would teach kids to never stop trying. They need to keep trying to reach their goals,'' said Corey Havrid. "I would be nice to all people no matter what color skin they have.''

The writing assignment is the fruition of a program being offered in all Seminole County public schools called "Keys to Your Character . . . Lessons for Life."

The program encourages students to work on a different virtue each month.

For instance, in October, students learned about "courage." Teachers planned lessons and extracurricular activities to help students develop "the courage to say no and stand up for what they believe in."

December's "key" is "generosity." Teachers have been planning writing assignments and conducting role-playing exercises to show how that virtue is displayed.

At Lake Orienta Elementary, Slater teamed up with the fourth-grade teachers to help students explore the ways they can be unselfish and demonstrate caring, concern and sharing.

One teacher even got into the act and wrote her own essay about giving.

"My prayer is that each time I come in contact with a child that our lives will be changed for the better," said Wendy Hartman. "I also hope that I can convey my love of reading to my students. Teaching students is life-long and that is my gift to the world."